Cashman sticking by Boone, says Yankees in 'buying mode'

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday the team plans to be in "buying mode" as the July 30 trade deadline approaches, according to Erik Boland of Newsday.

The Yankees initially planned on staying under the $210-million luxury-tax threshold this season. But Cashman said ownership hasn't written off exceeding that number for the right deal.

"We're gonna have opportunities that present themselves that are money-related," Cashman said.

He added: "I know what our preferences are and I know what we're trying to accomplish, but I also know we'll always have conversations, and they've always been open to conversations and consideration to things that can help the team."

The 33-32 Yankees entered Tuesday in fourth place in the AL East and trail the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays by nine games. The club is 3-7 over its last 10 games and riding a three-game losing streak ahead of its series with the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I've got to put myself in a position to find something that's gonna improve us. If it's costly, that'll factor into our decision-making mode," he said.

Cashman also isn't throwing manager Aaron Boone under the bus for the Yankees' struggles.

"Losing invites the scrutiny on us all," he said. "I best answer that as we're in this together. We made this bed and we're gonna sleep in it. And we're gonna make sure that we find a way to fix this together."